Chopin Foundation increases top competition prize to $100,000

The Miami-based Chopin Foundation of the United States has raised its top cash prize to $100,000 for 2020, making it the highest piano competition award in the country.

“Why should our young pianists make less than a professional athlete or a rock star?” asked Blanka A. Rosenstiel, founder and president of the Chopin Foundation, who decided to increase the first-place prize from the previous $75,000. “Their talent and hard work deserve this kind of reward. The joy that their playing brings to the world is simply priceless.”

“As the only organization committed to discovering and promoting American classical pianists exclusively, we feel the increased cash prize will go a long way toward helping get the winner noticed,” added Jadwiga Gewert, the Foundation’s executive director.

In addition to the $100,000 cash prize, the winner of the National Chopin Competition will automatically be allowed to compete in the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw. The Chopin Foundation also arranges an extensive U.S. concert tour in the U.S. and internationally for the first prize winner.

The silver medalist will receive $30,000 and is also accepted to the International Chopin Competition. The third prize winner receives $20,000 and, along with all other finalists, receives an expense-paid trip to Warsaw to compete in the International Chopin Competition’s Preliminary Round.